Pruning shears

Abstract

The present application discloses a pruning shear, comprising: a shell, the shell comprising: a motor part and a handle part; a motor, which is arranged in the motor part of the shell; a motor control unit, which is operably connected to the motor; and a trigger assembly, which is arranged in the handle part and is operably connected to the motor control unit to control the motor, wherein the trigger assembly comprises: a trigger; a main trigger movement detector; and a redundant trigger movement detector, wherein when the trigger is pressed, the main trigger movement detector and the redundant trigger movement detector each sense the movement of the trigger, and send a signal to the motor control unit to control the operation of the motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a landscaping tool, and more particularly, to a pruning shear that is powered by a battery. Background Art

[0002] Maintaining a property can require a lot of landscaping. Landscaping includes mowing the lawn, trimming edges, cutting weeds, trimming bushes, pruning trees, etc. To accomplish these different tasks, a variety of tools can be utilized. Utility Model Content

[0003] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pruning shear is disclosed, and the pruning shear includes: a shell, the shell including: a motor part and a handle part; a motor, which is arranged in the motor part of the shell; a motor control unit, which is operably connected to the motor; and a trigger assembly, which is arranged in the handle part and is operably connected to the motor control unit to control the motor, wherein the trigger assembly includes: a trigger; a main trigger movement detector; and a redundant trigger movement detector, wherein, when the trigger is pressed, the main trigger movement detector and the redundant trigger movement detector each sense the movement of the trigger, and send a signal to the motor control unit to control the operation of the motor.

[0004] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a pruning shear is disclosed, and the method includes: receiving a primary signal from a primary trigger movement detector; receiving a redundant signal from a redundant trigger movement detector; determining noise associated with the primary signal, the redundant signal, or a combination thereof; and preventing operation of a motor based at least in part on the noise.

[0005] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a pruning shear is disclosed, and the pruning shear includes: a shell, the shell including a motor part and a handle part; a motor, which is arranged in the motor part of the shell; a trigger assembly, which is arranged in the handle part and is operably connected to the motor, wherein the trigger assembly includes: a trigger; a trigger potentiometer, which is connected to the trigger; a magnet, which is arranged on the trigger; and a trigger Hall plate, which is adjacent to the magnet; and a motor control unit, which is operably connected to the motor and the trigger assembly, wherein the motor control unit is operable to: receive at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal; receive at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal; and operate the motor at least partially based on at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal and at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is a left side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the blade in a first, maximum open position.

[0009] Figure 3 is a left side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the blade in a second maximum open position.

[0010] Figure 4 is a right side view of the pruning shears according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 5 is a top view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 6 is a front view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 7 is a left side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with a portion of the housing removed.

[0014] Figure 8 is a partial left side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a portion of the housing removed.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a partial top view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a portion of the housing removed.

[0016] Fig.10 is a partial top view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing an electromechanical mode selector.

[0017] Fig.11 is a partial left side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with a portion of the housing removed to show details of the electromechanical mode selector.

[0018] Fig.12 is a partial right side view of a pruning shear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a blade assembly.

[0019] Fig.13 is a partial right side view of the pruning shears according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an upper blade of the blade assembly is detached from the pruning shears.

[0020] Fig.14 is a left side view of a pruning shear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig.15 is a first right side view of a pruning shear according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig.16 2 is a second right side view of the pruning shears according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.17 2 is a left side view of a pruning shear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of a control system of pruning shears according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.19 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating pruning shears according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 20 to Figure 21 is a flow chart illustrating a method of detecting a trigger noise of pruning shears according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 22 is a flow chart illustrating a method of initializing variables that trigger noise detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Before explaining any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited in scope or application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The devices described herein are capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or performed in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the words and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] refer to Figures 1 to 6 , a pruning shear is illustrated and generally designated 100. As shown, the pruning shear 100 includes a housing 102 including a first housing side 104 and a second housing side 106. Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the housing sides 104, 106 meet to form a joint 08 along a longitudinal axis 110. It should be understood that the housing sides 104, 106 are attached to or otherwise fixed to each other via a plurality of fasteners (e.g., screws, not shown). Alternatively, the housing sides 104, 106 are fixed to each other via an adhesive or via a plastic welding operation.

[0030] Figures 1 to 7The housing 102 is shown to define a motor portion 112 and a handle portion 114. The motor portion 112 includes a motor 120 having a rotating drive shaft 122. A fan rotor 124 is disposed on the drive shaft 122 and rotates with the drive shaft 122. In addition, a gearbox 126 is operably coupled to the drive shaft 122 and includes an output shaft 128. As shown, a pinion 130 is disposed on or operably coupled to the output shaft 122 of the gearbox 126. In a particular embodiment, the pinion 130 is a bevel pinion and is generally frustoconical. In addition, the pinion 130 is a spiral bevel pinion.

[0031] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As best shown, the blade assembly 140 at least partially extends from the motor portion 112 of the housing 102 such that the blade assembly is at least partially external to the housing 102. In other words, the pruning shears 102 include a blade assembly 140 extending from the housing 102. The blade assembly 140 includes a support blade 142 and a cutting blade 144 adjacent to the support blade 142. The pruning shears 100 also includes a frame 146 statically mounted within the housing 102 of the pruning shears 100. As shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 , the frame 146 partially extends from the housing 102 of the pruning shears 100. The support blade 142 is mounted on the frame 146, and the support blade 142 and the frame 146 are fixed and do not move relative to the housing 102. The cutting blade 144 is operably coupled or fixed to the arc rack gear 148. In an embodiment, the arc rack gear 148 is a spiral arc rack gear. The arc rack gear 148 meshes with the pinion gear 130, and when the pinion gear 130 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, the arc rack gear 148 moves back and forth along a curved path indicated by the curved arrow 150. In addition, when the arc rack gear 148 moves back and forth along the path indicated by the curved arrow 150, the cutting blade 144 fixed to the arc rack gear 148 moves back and forth along the path indicated by the curved arrow 152. In particular, the cutting blade 144 moves back and forth along the path indicated by arrow 152 and in doing so, moves toward and away from the support blade 142 .

[0032] During use, the cutting blade 144 reciprocates relative to the support blade 142 from a maximum open position to a closed position. In the maximum open position, the cutting edge 154 of the cutting blade 144 is spaced a maximum distance from the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142. Conversely, in the closed position, the cutting edge 154 of the cutting blade 144 moves slightly past the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142. It should be understood that the blade assembly 140 of the pruning shears 100 may have Figure 2 The first maximum open position depicted in FIG. Figure 3 . In the first maximum open position, the blade assembly 140 of the pruning shears 100 defines or includes a first maximum open distance D1, which is measured between the cutting edge 154 of the cutting blade 144 and the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142 along a vertical axis 158 passing through the lowest point of the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142. In addition, in the second maximum open position, the blade assembly 140 of the pruning shears 100 defines or includes a second maximum open distance D2, which is measured between the cutting edge 154 of the cutting blade 144 and the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142 along the vertical axis 158 passing through the lowest point of the cutting edge 156 of the support blade 142.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, D1 is greater than D2. In addition, at the first maximum open position, the pruning shears 100 includes a first cutting speed S1, and at the second maximum open position, the pruning shears 100 includes a second cutting speed S2. In a particular embodiment, S1 is less than or slower than S2. Different maximum open positions and different speeds allow the pruning shears 100 to efficiently cut branches of a certain size. For example, for larger branches, the pruning shears 100 can switch to the first cutting speed S1 (i.e., a slower operating speed) and the first maximum opening distance D1 (i.e., a larger maximum opening distance). This configuration of a larger maximum opening distance and a slower speed allows the pruning shears 100 to be used to cut larger branches while maximizing efficiency and battery life. When cutting smaller branches, the pruning shears can switch to a second cutting speed S2 (i.e., a faster operating speed) and a second maximum distance D2 (i.e., a smaller maximum opening distance). This configuration of a smaller maximum opening distance and a faster speed allows the pruning shears 100 to be used to cut smaller branches while also maximizing efficiency and battery life.

[0034] Back to reference Figure 7 , the handle portion 114 of the housing 102 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 160 therein. The PCB 160 is operably coupled to a battery 162 that is removably engaged with a battery compartment 164 formed within the handle portion 114 of the housing 102. The PCB 160 is also operably coupled to a motor 120 within the motor portion 112 of the housing 102 and a trigger assembly 170 that is at least partially disposed within the handle portion 114 of the housing 102.

[0035] like Figure 7As shown in , the trigger assembly 170 includes a trigger 172 and a trigger lock 174. When unlocked, the trigger 172 slides linearly relative to the housing 102 to depress and release a switch 176 operably connected to the motor 120. The trigger lock 174 prevents the trigger 172 from moving relative to the housing 102 until the trigger lock 174 is depressed and the trigger 172 is released. As shown, the trigger lock 174 defines a proximal end 178 and a distal end 180. The proximal end 178 of the trigger lock 174 includes a pivot 182 and a pawl 184. When the trigger lock 174 is in the locked position, the pawl 184 engages an inner surface 186 of the trigger 172 to prevent the trigger 172 from moving. The trigger lock 174 also includes a trigger lock stop 188 extending from the distal end 180 of the trigger lock 174.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the trigger lock stop 188 prevents the trigger lock 174 from rotating out of the handle 106 portion of the housing 102. A spring 190 is mounted within the handle portion 114 of the housing 102 adjacent the distal end 180 of the trigger lock 174 to bias the trigger lock 174 to a locked position in which the pawl 178 engages the trigger 172 and the trigger lock stop 190 abuts against an inner wall 192 of the handle portion 114 of the housing 102. It should be understood that the trigger lock 174 rotates about the pivot 182 between a locked position in which the pawl 184 engages the trigger 172 and prevents movement of the trigger 172 relative to the housing 102, and an unlocked position in which the pawl 184 rotates away from the trigger 172, disengages the trigger 172, and allows movement of the trigger 172.

[0037] like Figure 7 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the handle portion 114 of the housing 102 includes a trigger guard 194 that extends at least partially around the trigger 172 (i.e., the portion of the trigger 172 that extends outwardly or externally from the handle portion 114 of the housing 102). In addition, the handle portion 114 of the housing 102 includes a trigger lock guard 196 that extends at least partially around the trigger lock 174 (i.e., the portion of the trigger lock 174 that extends outwardly or externally from the handle portion 114 of the housing 102). Figure 7, the trigger guard 194 is separated from the trigger lock guard 196, and the separator 198 extends between the trigger guard 194 and the trigger lock guard 196. In a particular embodiment, the trigger guard 194 is sized and shaped to receive the index finger 200 of the user. In addition, the trigger lock guard 196 is sized and shaped to receive the middle finger 202, the ring finger 204, and the pinky finger 206 of the user. Therefore, during operation, the user can hold the pruning shears 100 about the handle portion 114 of the housing 102, and can use one or more of the middle finger 202, the ring finger 204, and the pinky finger 206 to actuate the trigger lock 74 and release the trigger 172. At the same time, when the trigger lock 174 is in the unlocked position, the user can use the index finger 200 to actuate the trigger 172.

[0038] Brief reference Figure 3 , the pruning shears 100 also include a battery level indicator 210. The battery level indicator 210 may include a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other lights that indicate the remaining battery level based on the number of LEDs that are lit. For example, when the battery level is at a maximum, all of the LEDs of the battery level indicator 210 are lit. As the battery level decreases, the number of LEDs of the battery level indicator 210 that are lit decreases. Figure 5 The indicating pruning shears 100 also include a user interface 212 disposed on the top of the housing 102. The user interface 212 includes a display 214 that indicates the current power state (on or off) and the current operating mode of the pruning shears 100. The user interface 212 also includes a switch 216 for switching between operating modes provided by the pruning shears 100 (e.g., different speeds and different maximum open positions as described above).

[0039] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 , an electromechanical mode selector 1000 of a pruning shear 1002 is illustrated. As shown, the mode selector 1000 includes a mechanical selector switch 1004 that mechanically switches a gear box 1006 within the pruning shear 1002. The mechanical selector switch 1004 can be used to switch between planetary gear stages of the gear box 1006 (e.g., between high speed and low speed). In addition, the mechanical selector switch 1004 can further set the desired cutting capacity, for example, a 1.25" maximum branch size versus a 0.625" maximum branch size. The mechanical selector switch 1004 may include a magnet 1010 disposed on an end 1012 of the mechanical selector switch 1004. The Hall sensor 1014 may be placed near the mechanical selector switch 1004 within the pruning shear 1002. When the mechanical selector switch 1004 is relative to Fig.11When moving forward to a lower speed (higher torque), the Hall sensor 1014 can sense the position of the mechanical selector switch 1004 and can transmit a signal to the motor control unit (MCU) 1016. The MCU 1016 can use the signal from the Hall sensor 1014 to determine the desired cutting capacity mode based on the selected speed. The arrangement of the magnet 1010 and the Hall sensor 1014 can serve as a redundant signal for the mode selection signal.

[0040] For example, for a low speed, the cutting capacity may be a higher cutting capacity, such as a cutting capacity corresponding to the larger first maximum distance D1 described above. Fig.11 When moving back to high speed (lower torque), the MCU 1016 will not receive a signal from the Hall sensor 1014, and the MCU 1016 can return the cutting capacity mode to a lower cutting capacity (e.g., a cutting capacity corresponding to the smaller second maximum distance D2 described above). After a new speed is selected and the trigger is pulled once, the cutting blade 144 can stop at a position corresponding to a new stop position corresponding to the maximum opening distance based on the input from the inductive sensor, which will be described below in conjunction with Fig.18 In another embodiment, an inductive sensor or a micro switch may be used to replace the magnet 1010 and the Hall sensor 1014 .

[0041] Fig.12 and Fig.13 The blade assembly 1200 of the pruning shears 1202 is illustrated and the removal of the cutting blade 1204 from the blade assembly 1200 is depicted. To remove the cutting blade 1204 from the blade assembly 1200 and the pruning shears 1202, the locking screw 1206 can be loosened. Thereafter, the first blade screw 1208 and the second blade screw 1210 can be removed. It should be understood that the blade screws 1208, 1210 connect the cutting blade 1204 to the arc-shaped rack gear 1212 that drives the movement of the cutting blade 1204. As shown in FIG. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As indicated, the blade screws 1208 , 1210 extend through a hole 1214 in the arcuate rack gear 1212 and threadedly engage a threaded hole 1216 formed in the cutting blade 1204 .

[0042] like Fig.13As shown in , after the blade screws 1208, 1210 are removed, the cutting blade 1204 can be linearly moved away from the locking screw 1206 and the support blade 1218 of the blade assembly 1200, as shown by arrow 1220. As shown, the cutting blade 1204 is formed with a generally U-shaped opening 1222 that is configured to fit over the shaft (not shown) of the locking screw 1206. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As depicted in , the U-shaped opening 1222 facilitates easy removal and replacement of the cutting blade 1204. It should be understood that in order to install the cutting blade 1204, the steps described above can be reversed.

[0043] Brief reference Fig.14 , depicts another embodiment of a pruning shear 1400. In this particular embodiment, the pruning shear 1400 includes a larger capacity battery 1402 engaged with a housing 1406 of the pruning shear 1400. Fig.15 and Fig.16 Another embodiment of a pruning shear 1500 is depicted. In this embodiment, the pruning shear 1500 includes a first housing portion 1502 and a second housing portion 1504. The second housing portion 1504 is pivotally connected to the first housing portion 1502 to allow the second housing portion 1504 to be in a first position relative to the first housing portion 1502 (e.g., Fig.15 ) and a second position relative to the first housing portion 1502 (as shown in Fig.16 ) between the two. Fig.17 Yet another embodiment of a pruning shear 1700 is illustrated in which a housing 1702 includes a pistol grip 1704 having a single trigger 1706 .

[0044] Reference now Fig.18, depicts a block diagram of a pruning shear 1800. For example, it should be understood that the pruning shear 1800 represents any of the pruning shears 100, 1400, 1500, 1700 described herein. As shown, the pruning shear 1800 includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 1802, which is operably electrically coupled to a motor 1804, which is operably coupled to and drives a blade assembly 1806. For example, the motor 1804 is the motor 120 described above. In addition, the blade assembly 1806 is one or both of the blade assemblies 140, 1200 described herein. A sensor board 1808 is operably electrically coupled to the PCBA 1802. The sensor board 1808 includes a plurality of Hall sensors and is placed adjacent to the blade assembly 1806 to sense movement and / or position of at least one of the blades that make up the blade assembly 1806 using a magnet placed on at least one of the blades. As shown, a battery pack 1810 is also operably coupled to the PCBA 1802. It should be appreciated that the battery pack 1810 is removably engageable with the pruning shears 1800.

[0045] Fig.18 The PCBA 1802 is shown to include a control board 1820 that includes a motor control unit (MCU) 1822, a gate driver 1824 operably coupled to the MCU 1822, and a plurality of power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors 1826 (MOSFETs) operably coupled to the gate driver 1824. The power MOSFETS 1826 are also operably electrically coupled to the motor 1804 and used to control the movement of the motor 1804. The PCBA 1802 also includes a motor Hall plate 1840 that is adjacent to the motor 1804 and operably electrically coupled to the control board 1820. The motor Hall plate 1840 includes a plurality of Hall sensors configured to detect one or more magnets on the motor 1804 to detect the speed of the motor 1804, the rotational direction of the motor 1804, the position of the motor 1804, the distance to a desired position of the motor 1804, or a combination thereof.

[0046] As further shown, PCBA 1802 includes a user interface board 1830 that is operably electrically coupled to control board 1820. User interface board 1830 includes a mode indicator 1832, a power on / off indicator 1834, and a battery indicator 1836. Mode indicator 1832 indicates the mode in which pruning shears 1800 are operating. In one aspect, the mode is based on the cutting speed of pruning shears 1800. In another aspect, the mode is based on the cutting capacity of pruning shears 1800. Power on / off indicator 1834 indicates whether pruning shears 1800 are powered on or off. In addition, when removable battery 1810 is engaged with pruning shears 1800, battery indicator 1836 indicates the remaining battery charge of the removable battery.

[0047] Fig.18 PCBA 1802 is shown to include a trigger assembly 1850 disposed thereon. Trigger assembly 1850 is used to control the operation of motor 1804 and includes a trigger potentiometer 1852 operably electrically coupled to control board 1820. Trigger assembly 1850 also includes a trigger 1854 that is mechanically operably coupled to trigger potentiometer 1852. Trigger 1854 includes a magnet 1856 that engages with and is disposed on trigger 1854. A trigger Hall plate 1858 is positioned adjacent to trigger 1854. Trigger Hall plate 1858 includes one or more Hall sensors configured to sense magnet 1856 and detect movement of magnet 1856 and trigger 1854. During operation of pruning shears 1800, trigger 1854 is pressed or otherwise toggled to activate motor 1804. In particular, when the trigger 1854 is pressed, the trigger potentiometer 1852 sends a voltage signal to the MCU 1822 within the control board 1820 indicating the distance that the trigger 1854 is pressed. The voltage from the trigger potentiometer 1852 is the primary signal. The MCU 1822 in turn sends a signal to the motor Hall plate 1840 to activate or otherwise operate the motor 1804 at a speed corresponding to the amount that the trigger 1854 is pulled. The motor 1804 then drives the blade assembly 1806. At the same time, when the trigger 1854 is pressed or otherwise toggled, the movement of the magnet 1856 on the trigger 1854 (and by extension, the movement of the trigger 1854) is detected by the trigger Hall plate 1858. The trigger Hall plate 1858 sends a redundant signal to activate the motor 1804 at a speed corresponding to the distance that the trigger 1854 is pressed. The motor 1804 then drives the blade assembly 1806.

[0048] It should be understood that the MCU 1822 is operable to perform or otherwise execute one, more, all, or any combination of the method steps described below in conjunction with the methods 1900, 2000, 2200 described below. For example, the MCU 1822 is operable to receive at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal from the trigger potentiometer 1852, receive at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal from the trigger Hall plate, and operate the motor 1804 based at least in part on the at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal and the at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal.

[0049] It should be understood that the trigger potentiometer 1852 is the primary trigger movement detector that detects movement of the trigger 1854 (e.g., the distance the trigger is pressed and the return of the trigger 1854 to the closed position). It should be further understood that the magnet 1856 and the trigger Hall plate 1858 are redundant or auxiliary trigger movement detectors that detect movement of the trigger 1854 (e.g., the distance the trigger is pressed and the return of the trigger 1854 to the closed position). In another aspect, the magnet 1856 and the trigger Hall plate 1858 are the primary trigger movement detectors and the trigger potentiometer 1852 is the redundant or auxiliary trigger movement detector.

[0050] Fig.19 A method of operating a pruning shear is depicted. Method 1900 begins at box 1902 and includes receiving a primary signal from a primary trigger movement detector. In one aspect, the primary trigger movement detector is a trigger potentiometer that detects movement of a trigger coupled thereto. In another aspect, the primary trigger movement detector includes: a magnet coupled to the trigger; and a trigger Hall plate that detects movement of the magnet and the trigger coupled thereto. At box 1904, method 1900 includes receiving a redundant signal from a redundant trigger movement detector. In one aspect, the redundant trigger movement detector includes: a magnet coupled to the trigger; and a trigger Hall plate that detects movement of the magnet and the trigger coupled thereto. In another aspect, the redundant trigger movement detector is a trigger potentiometer that detects movement of the trigger coupled thereto. It should be understood that the primary trigger movement detector is different from the redundant trigger movement detector.

[0051] Continuing with the description of method 1900, at block 1906, method 1900 includes determining noise associated with the primary signal, the redundant signal, or a combination thereof. Additionally, at block 1908, method 1900 includes preventing operation of the motor based at least in part on the noise. Thereafter, method 1900 ends.

[0052] refer to Figure 20 to Figure 21, a method for detecting trigger noise in a pruning shear (e.g., any of the pruning shears 100, 1400, 1500, 1700, 1800 described herein) is illustrated and is designated 2000. It should be understood that one or more steps of the method 2000 described below are performed at a control board within the pruning shear. Beginning at block 2002, the method 2000 includes receiving an actual trigger potentiometer signal and an actual trigger hall sensor signal. When the trigger of the pruning shears is toggled or pressed by a user, the actual trigger potentiometer signal and the actual trigger hall sensor signal are received at the control board.

[0053] At box 2004, the method 2000 includes thresholding the actual trigger Hall sensor signal. It should be understood that thresholding the actual trigger Hall sensor signal is selectively performed. In other words, this step is optional and only occurs when the actual trigger Hall sensor signal is less than a predetermined trigger Hall signal threshold value, and in such cases, the actual trigger Hall sensor signal is set equal to the trigger Hall signal threshold. Moving to box 2006, the method 2000 includes converting the actual potentiometer signal to an estimated trigger Hall sensor signal using the trigger calibration slope map and the predetermined offset value. At box 2008, the method 2000 includes thresholding the estimated trigger Hall sensor signal. It should be understood that thresholding the estimated trigger Hall sensor signal is selectively performed. In other words, this step is optional and only occurs when the estimated Hall sensor signal is less than a predetermined trigger Hall sensor threshold value, and in such cases, the estimated trigger Hall sensor signal is set equal to the trigger Hall sensor threshold value.

[0054] Moving to box 2010, method 2000 includes calculating a delta value between an actual trigger Hall signal value and an estimated trigger Hall signal value. Additionally, at box 2012, method 2000 includes calculating a change in the delta value relative to a previous delta value. Thereafter, at decision 2014, method 2000 includes determining whether the change in the delta value is less than a fine noise threshold or whether the fine noise counter is greater than zero. If the change in the delta value is greater than the fine noise threshold or the fine noise counter is less than zero, method 2000 proceeds to box 2016, where method 2000 includes clearing the coarse noise counter and accumulator and clearing the fine noise counter and accumulator. Thereafter, method 2000 ends.

[0055] Returning to decision 2014, if the change in delta value is less than the fine noise threshold or the fine noise counter is greater than zero, method 2000 proceeds to Fig.2121. At decision step 2118, method 2000 includes determining whether the fine noise counter is less than sixty-four (64). If the fine noise counter is less than sixty-four (64), method 2000 proceeds to block 2120, where method 2000 includes adding the change in delta value to the fine noise accumulator. Thereafter, at block 2122, method 2000 includes incrementing the fine noise counter. For example, the fine noise counter is incremented by a value of one (1).

[0056] Moving to decision 2124, method 2000 includes determining whether the coarse noise counter is less than eight (8). If the coarse noise counter is less than eight (8), method 2000 proceeds to block 2126, and method 2000 includes adding the increment value to the coarse noise accumulator. Thereafter, at block 2128, method 2000 includes increasing the coarse noise counter. For example, the coarse noise counter is increased by a value of one (1). From block 2128, method 2000 ends.

[0057] Returning to decision 2124, if the coarse noise counter is not less than eight (8), the method 2000 moves to decision 2130 and includes determining whether the coarse noise average is greater than the coarse noise threshold. If the coarse noise average is greater than the coarse noise threshold, the method 2000 proceeds to box 2132 and includes setting a noise flag and incrementing the data log. For example, the noise flag is set to "true" indicating that a lot of noise is present. From box 2132, the method 2000 continues to box 2134 and includes setting the motor power to zero. Thereafter, the method 2000 proceeds to decision 2136.

[0058] Returning to decision 2130, if the coarse noise average is not greater than the coarse noise threshold, the method 2000 also proceeds to decision 2136. At decision 2136, the method 2000 again includes determining whether the coarse noise counter is less than eight (8). If the coarse noise counter is not less than eight (8), the method 2000 proceeds to box 2138 and includes clearing the fine noise accumulator and the threshold. Then, at box 2140, the method 2000 includes setting the coarse noise accumulator value to the increment value. Moving to box 2142, the method 2000 includes setting the coarse noise counter to a value of one. The method 2000 then ends. Returning to decision 2136, if the coarse noise counter is less than eight (8), the method 2000 proceeds directly to box 2140 and continues as described herein.

[0059] Returning to decision 2118, if the fine noise counter is not less than sixty-four (64), the method 2000 proceeds to decision 2144. At decision 2144, the method 2000 includes determining whether the fine noise average is greater than the fine noise threshold or the coarse noise average is greater than the coarse noise threshold. If the fine noise average is greater than the fine noise threshold, or the coarse noise average is greater than the coarse noise threshold, the method proceeds to block 2132 and continues as previously described. On the other hand, if the fine noise average is not greater than the fine noise threshold, or the coarse noise average is not greater than the coarse noise threshold, the method 2000 moves to block 2138 and continues as previously described.

[0060] refer to Fig. 22 , a method of initializing variables for triggering noise detection in a pruning shear is illustrated and generally designated 2200. It should be understood that the method 2200 is used with any of the pruning shears 100, 1400, 1500, 1700, 1800 described herein. It should further be understood that one or more steps of the method 2200 described below are performed at a control board within the pruning shears.

[0061] Beginning at block 2202, method 2200 includes reading a trigger calibration intercept and slope from a flash memory within the pruning shears. At block 2204, method 2200 includes calculating a maximum trigger Hall threshold and a minimum trigger Hall threshold from the trigger potentiometer limits. Next, at block 2206, method 2200 includes setting a coarse noise threshold to a value equal to one third of the maximum threshold range and the minimum threshold range determined at step 2204. Additionally, at block 2208, method 2200 includes setting a fine noise threshold to a value equal to one sixteenth of the maximum threshold range and the minimum threshold range determined at step 2204. Method 2200 then ends. It should be appreciated that in some instances, method 2200 may be used in conjunction with Figure 20 to Figure 21 The method 2000 shown and described was previously performed.

[0062] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

[0063] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pruning shear, characterized in that: include: A housing, the housing comprising: Motor section; and Handle part; a motor disposed within a motor portion of the housing; a motor control unit operably coupled to the motor; and A trigger assembly is disposed within the handle portion and is operably coupled to the connected to the motor control unit to control the motor, wherein the trigger assembly comprises: trigger; Primary trigger motion detector; and A redundant trigger movement detector wherein when the trigger is pressed, the primary The trigger movement detector and the redundant trigger movement detector each sense the trigger The motor control unit sends a signal to the motor control unit to control the operation of the motor. do.

2. The pruning shears according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main trigger shift The motion detector includes a trigger potentiometer coupled to the trigger.

3. The pruning shears according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trigger potentiometer Based on the movement of the trigger potentiometer, a main signal is transmitted indicating the distance the trigger is pressed. Need a signal.

4. The pruning shears according to claim 3, characterized in that: The motor control unit Sends a primary signal to the motor to activate the trigger based on the trigger detected by the trigger potentiometer The distance moved sets the speed of the motor.

5. The pruning shears according to claim 1, characterized in that: The redundant trigger shift The motion detector includes: a magnet disposed on the trigger; and a trigger Hall plate adjacent to the trigger to sense the movement of the magnet.

6. The pruning shears according to claim 5, characterized in that: The trigger Hall plate transmits a redundant signal indicative of a distance the trigger is depressed based on movement of the magnet sensed by the trigger Hall plate.

7. The pruning shears according to claim 6, characterized in that: The motor control unit sends redundant signals to the motor to set the speed of the motor based on the distance the trigger moves as detected by the trigger Hall plate.

8. The pruning shears according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor control unit is operable to: receiving at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal from a trigger potentiometer coupled to the trigger; receiving at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal from a trigger Hall plate; as well as The motor is operated based at least in part on the at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal and the at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal.

9. The pruning shears according to claim 8, characterized in that: The motor control unit is further operable to selectively threshold the at least one trigger Hall sensor voltage signal.

10. The pruning shears according to claim 9, characterized in that: The motor control unit is further operable to convert the at least one trigger potentiometer voltage signal into at least one estimated Hall voltage signal value.

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